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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

One donation, twice the impact. From the 18th – 25th April your donation to protect ancient woodland will be doubled through the Big Give.

Home // Research grants // Our UK mammal projects // Protecting badgers in Cornwall from the cull

Protecting badgers in Cornwall from the cull

Protecting badgers from the cull Rosie UK PTES project conservation badger_portrait_(c)_seth_jackson

A key justification for culling badgers is the lack of evidence on alternative solutions on how to deal with bTB

This project has now finished

The problem

Badgers are not currently threatened here in the UK. Sadly however, government-sponsored culling risks put these wonderful animals under threat of local extinction in many areas where they once thrived. These culls, which are supposed to control bovine tuberculosis (TB), operate over entire counties.

And they plan more. Therefore, if this rate of widespread removal of Britain’s largest remaining carnivore continues, it won’t only be badgers that suffer. Sadly, taking out a critical species from the food chain will create cascading ecological impacts.

protecting badgers in Cornwall image by Seth Jackson PTES Uk mammal conservation — Image by Seth Jackson

The solution

A key justification for culling badgers is the lack of evidence on alternative solutions on how to deal with bTB. Even though evidence has already proven that culling badger does not eradicate bTB in cows, the government still justifies the cull by saying there is no alternative.

So, PTES is giving funds to Rosie Woodroffe and her team at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) who are investigating how effective badger vaccination can be as a sustainable, humane, cost-efficient alternative to culling.

Rosie works with farmers, conservationists, and community members in West Cornwall, to measure bTB in badgers and cattle, as the badger vaccination rolls out. So, we’re hoping that with our funds, Rosie and her team can prove that a humane vaccination is a sensible alternative to widespread eradication of an iconic species that plays a central role in the ecosystem.

This project is only possible thanks to our generous donors. Can you help by donating today?

Donate to our badger appeal